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If you've never driven abroad before, you'll probably find that it's a lot less daunting than you think! As long as you take note of a few dos and don'ts, a driving trip to the South of France or even beyond is within easy reach!
Take a look at our guide, giving useful tips on preparing your car for the road ahead as well as ways to help make your journey run as smoothly as possible.
You'll find within our guide, it's essential to take rest stops if you're driving for a few hours at a time. Depending on where you're going, you may wish to consider en-route. Give our travel advisors a call on (021) 425 2300 and they will be delighted to advise you of the best possible options.
It's essential that your NCT certificate is valid for taking your car abroad. Furthermore, for your own peace of mind (as well as for breakdown insurance purposes) it's recommended you have your vehicle properly serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. If any parts are reaching the end of its normal life it's worth having them replaced.
You must have IRL sticker which is clearly visible to other drivers, or Euro plates with a circle of 12 stars on a blue background.
Use headlight converters to prevent from dazzling other drivers coming in the opposite direction - remember you're driving on the other side of the road!
Keep a kit in your car:
Leave plenty of time to check your essential documents, in case you need to renew your passports, or send away for any other documentation.
Passports - on the day you’re due to depart a UK passport needs to have at least six months left. You may need to renew your British passport earlier if it’s over ten years old, too, even if it has six months or more left on it. You can check if you need to renew your passport here.
Driving Licence - If you hold a UK driving licence, then you may need to obtain an international driving permit to drive in the EU if you have either:
Contact the embassy of the country you’re visiting to check what documents you’ll need.
Green card - if you are taking you car on holiday and it is registered or insured in the UK, you’ll need to do ask your insurer for a green card as proof of insurance. Your insurer might issue your green card by post, or they may tell you how to download one to print at home. Request your green card at least six weeks in advance to make sure it arrives in plenty of time. Make sure you take it with you.
Holders of valid European driving licenses can drive on public roads across the EU. For more information about driving abroad see here.
Take both with you...and remember your charger! Also:
Make sure your tyres (including your spare) are in decent shape for your journey. Check them for general wear and tear - any splits, nail damage, scuffs or bulges, and while they're still cold, check the pressure. When you drive the tyre will heat up, increasing the pressure. They must be the correct pressure to get the best handling on roads you're not familar with.
Check which type of tyres you need - will the weather have an effect? Note that some countries have a minimum tyre type at certain times of the year.
And will you need snow chains? In the winter they're compulsory in France.
Driving through Paris, Lyon, Lille and Grenoble? If you’re planning to drive into these cities, you’ll need a Crit’Air sticker on your windscreen, displaying how polluting your car is. You’ll need to apply for a sticker by registering your vehicle’s details at the French government’s website here. Please allow enough time for the sticker to be delivered prior to your departure. You must display a Crit’Air sticker to avoid a fine.
With air pollution firmly on the agenda, in 2022 the Crit'Air scheme will affect more cities in France, while other countries are increasingly adopting their own low emission zones in major towns. If you are planning to do any city driving, it's advisable to check the local requirements in advance. For up to date information on low emission zones, for every European country, visit Urban Access Regulations in Europe.
Car insurance
Check with your provider that your insurance extends to the continent, you may need to get some extra cover for the holiday. Third party insurance is compulsory.
Personal insurance
We always recommend that you arrange your own comprehensive health insurance before you travel.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) lets you get healthcare in another EU or European Economic Area (EEA) state for free, or at a reduced cost. Find out more about the EHIC here. Please note the EHIC does not cover you for medical treatment in Switzerland.
Breakdown cover
Many customers extend their cover with the AA/RAC/Green Flag to allow them to take their car abroad. In the event of a breakdown, replacement car parts can be expensive - especially after adding on postage or if the parts need to be imported. If you have breakdown cover, it must be valid from the moment you leave home to when you return.
Check that the levels of your water, oil and windscreen wash are all correct. Keep a spare bottle of water and oil in the boot just in case.
An excellent way to gain more space in the boot. However, you must ensure when packing that the top box isn't carrying heavy items as you don't want to unbalance the car. Put the heavier luggage in the boot.
It's vital to stop for a rest when you're travelling for such a long time - especially if there's only one driver in your party. It takes a lot of concentration to drive abroad where you're unfamiliar with the roads and signs, and you risk the lives of yourself, your passengers and other road users if you're driving tired.
If your journey time is going to take you 8 hours or more, we strongly recommend you book an overnight stop for some proper rest. Why not give one of our advisors a call on (021) 425 2300 who will be happy to advise you on the best possible options?
Don't let the thought of kids' boredom put you off! With so much available nowadays to keep them entertained there's no reason for complaints!
There's DVDs on your portable DVD player, hand-held games consoles, MP3 players, iPads and tablets, plus of course books, comics, magazines and travel games (like everyone's favourite - I-Spy)!
Remember that when driving abroad you'll encounter your fair share of road tolls. Make sure you've got plenty of change handy to prevent having to root around in a panic once you're at the barrier!
Remember also that different countries will have different rules and signs that won't be familiar to you, so learning them before you set off will make it easier.
Whether you've got cash, credit cards, debit cards or pre-paid cards - or all of the above - do not keep them all together. Check any credit or debit cards you take will be accepted where you're going and remember that each time you draw out cash there will be a charge. Let your bank know which cards you're taking overseas so that they don't suspect it's been cloned and stop it.
Petrol (unleaded only) and diesel are commonly sold on the continent, and LPG can be found at some larger stations.
We recommend you take a petrol can so you're not caught short - make sure the lid is on tight though. This is also useful because some rural petrol stations are not manned outside of normal working hours, and some automated pumps may not accept credit or debit cards.
Finally, make sure you know the correct name of the fuel you need!
Unleaded | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| French | Sans Plomb | Gazole / Diesel |
| Spanish | Gasolina Sin Plomo | Diésel |
| Italian | Benzina Senza Piombo | Diesel |
| Dutch | Loodvrije Benzine | Diesel |
| German | Bleifreies Benzin | Diesel |
| Croatian | Bezolovni Nafta | Umre / Diesel |
| Portuguese | Combustível Sem Chumbo | Diesel |
Make sure you take any paperwork that you may need to use during your holiday - and remember all of the following for all party members where applicable:
If you book a hire car for your Eurocamp holiday, bear in mind these useful tips:
